Press Conference on Taiwan's 2006 World Solar Car Rally and Award Ceremony for Suzuka Circuit

Taiwan 's 2006 World Solar Car Rally - the first World Solar Car Championship held in Taiwan - will be held in southern Taiwan from September 15 through 21. Ten teams from six countries including the US , Japan , Germany , Iran , Turkey , and Taiwan will take part. The competition is expected to be fierce. The event enables Taiwan - a country that in recent years has made significant progress in the application and development of renewable energy - to keep up with the world's renewable energy technologies and exhibit its achievements in international exchange in renewable energy education and scientific technological development.

Administrative Deputy Minister Chou Tsan-der on September 1 presided over the opening ceremony. In addition to thanking sponsors for lending their support, he awarded a prize to the team of solar car Apollo of Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences for its outstanding performance at Suzuka Solar Car Circuit. Deputy Minister Chou praised the rally for being the first in Taiwan in 400 years. This event combines and utilizes the theory and practice of energy technologies. This event is also the result of consolidating the resources of the central government and those of seven counties/cities, enterprises, and academic institutions. Based on various R&D achievements, it is hoped that more industry-academia cooperation can be created and that more outstanding individuals in related sciences and technologies can be trained.

Under the guidance of MOE, MOTC, and ISF, and the auspices of the governments of the seven counties / cities in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences will sponsor the event with Ping Tung University of Science & Technology, Kaohsiung Hospitality College, Tajen University, Cheng Shiu University, Shu-Te University, Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages, Shu Zen College of Medicine and Management, Municipal Kaohsiung Industrial High School, and Shu-Te Home Economics & Commercial High School as co-sponsors. In addition, enterprises including the leaders of the solar energy industry, Motech Industries, E-Ton Solar, and Federal will offer their patronage. Chairperson Mr. Hans Tholstrup, Australian Representative Mr. Chris Selwood, and Japanese Representative Mr. Takahiro Iwata are also invited to offer their assistance.

A circuit race will take place on September 17 at Pingbei Airport , while the rally race will take place from September 18 through 20. The rally race will encompass sections of roads in the seven counties / cities in southern Taiwan with a total length of 580km . The rally is divided into speed and non-speed road sections. On speed road sections, the cars will be timed to allow the cars to display their navigating features at top speeds and the drivers' skillful driving techniques. On non-speed road sections, drivers have to abide by traffic regulations, allowing the public to observe solar cars running on regular roads. Also, in order to promote the education of renewable energy and encouraging students to learn, relevant science education activities will be held at the sites where the solar cars park. The sites include Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Dapeng Bay in Pingdong County , and Jiayi Municipal Cultural Center . The activities include outdoor exhibitions of photo voltage and operation of diverse photovoltaic teaching aids. It is hoped that this event can make Taiwan more visible on the world stage.

The solar car team Apollo of Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences on August 4 this year went to Japan to participate in the Suzuka Solar Car Circuit. A total of 90 teams participated in the competition. Apollo gained fourth place in the Dream Cup contest and first place in the Mitsuba race, winning $200,000 yen in prize money. The racetrack for Suzuka Solar Car Circuit was an F1 racetrack built by Honda Motors. All participants had to constantly improve their techniques in turning sunlight into energy, formulate strategies for using limited energy in a highly effective manner, and develop driving techniques to challenge the testing Suzuka F1 racetrack. Therefore, the race was known as The F1 Race of Solar Cars. This year is the 15 th year since the race was first held.